Week in Review

Dec. 6, 2013
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

Richardson 42nd Annual Christmas Parade and Weekend Activities at Santa’s Village Cancelled Due to Severe Winter Weather
Hazardous road and weather conditions have forced organizers to cancel the 42nd Annual Christmas Parade scheduled to begin Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. along Plano Road between Belt Line and Apollo roads in Richardson. Ice on the route path and sub-freezing temperatures created conditions deemed too hazardous for the parade to safely take place for spectators and participants. This is only the second time in the parade’s history that it has had to be cancelled due to severe weather. The last time was in 1999.

Event organizers would like to express their enormous gratitude to all parade participants and volunteers for their dedicated support. They would also like to express their sincere thanks for the many toy and cash donations made to support the NETWORK of Community Ministries.

Richardson’s Santa’s Village activities have also been cancelled this weekend (both Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8) due to severe winter weather and on-site safety concerns. The village is expected to open as scheduled next week beginning Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

City Facility Revised Weekend ScheduleThe following changes have been announced due to severe winter weather impacts:

Saturday, Dec. 7
The following facilities will delay opening until 10 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. due to severe winter weather:

-Animal Shelter

-Heights Recreation Center

-Huffhines Recreation Center

-Public Library

Sunday, Dec. 8
The following facilities will operate according to the schedule below due to severe winter weather:

-Animal Shelter (1 to 5 p.m. – normal operating hours)

-Heights Recreation Center (1 to 5 p.m.)

-Huffhines Recreation Center (1 to 5 p.m.)

-Public Library (2 to 5 p.m.)

City Facility Closures This Weekend
The following facilities are closed both Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 due to severe winter weather:

-Civic Center

-Gymnastics Center

-Tennis Center

-Senior Center

Solid Waste ServicesResidentialResidential trash and recycling services are cancelled today. There will be no makeup day for Friday services. Solid waste collection is expected to resume its normal schedule next week. Residents are asked to put out their trash and recycling accordingly.CommercialCommercial trash and recycling services are cancelled today and Saturday, Dec. 7. Solid waste collection is expected to resume its normal schedule next week. Commercial customers are asked to plan accordingly.

City Crews Sanding Streets
Street crews are conducting sanding operations on bridges and overpasses as needed. Street cleaning crews will begin operations to sweep sand spread on area roads as soon as weather conditions allow.

Report Power OutagesElectric utility workers from multiple states are in the Metroplex to assist with power restoration and are responding in the Richardson area to restore power as quickly as possible. Power outages can be reported to Oncor at 888-313-4747. Residents can also visit Oncor’s online storm center for outage information at stormcenter.oncor.com.

Report Downed VegetationTo report downed vegetation blocking a street, alley or other public right-of-way please contact 972-744-4111. Residential property owners can also place vegetative debris in their normal bulky item pickup location for collection next week. Vegetative and other bulky item residential service will occur according to the normal collection schedule.

Prevent Broken Pipes and Water Leaks in Freezing TemperaturesWith freezing temperatures in the forecast, homeowners and business water customers can help prevent broken pipes and water leaks by turning off automatic sprinklers and other irrigation systems at the control box. It is also recommended to inspect outdoor water spigots and repair them if needed. A common Styrofoam cup or other cover may be used to insulate spigots during freezing temperatures.

While Richardson residents can water their landscapes twice a month under the current Stage 3 water restrictions, experts state that warm season grasses go dormant during winter months and little or no supplemental water is needed. Learn more at wateriq.org and ntmwd.com.

Council to Vote on Resolution to Save $768,000 by Paying Off Debt Early
The City of Richardson will save nearly $768,000 in interest payments by paying off the remainder of the 2004 Taxable General Obligation Refunding Issue six years early. The City paid off nearly $2.1 million in 2013 and will pay the remaining $1.8 million in principal in 2014. By paying this debt off early, the City avoids paying applicable interest each year from 2013 through 2020.

The City Council will vote on a resolution authorizing this early payment action at its meeting on Monday. Watch a work session presentation about the early payment at bit.ly/1jmnx7Q.

French Delegation Visits Richardson
The Mayor’s Office of International Business Development partnered with a delegation from Marseilles, France, to host a reception Wednesday at the Eisemann Center. “A Taste of Provence” featured food and wine from the south of France and allowed local officials and business leaders to learn about many of the technology companies around Marseilles.

The Provence Promotion organization and the Mayor’s Office of International Business Development have been working toward a formal relationship to develop trade and foreign direct investment between the two regions. Both regions have similar technology industry sectors, including telecommunications, semiconductor, RFID and computer animation. The two organizations have agreed to help promote their local companies and business ecosystems to each other's regions to foster new business and economic development.

Fire Department Toy Drive Ends Next Week
The Richardson Fire Department is conducting a toy and food drive through Dec. 13 to benefit NETWORK of Community Ministries. New and gently used toys for children of all ages and non-perishable food items may be dropped off at any of the Richardson Fire Stations, City Hall or the Service Center.
Acceptable items include (but are not limited to) Lego sets, Nerf balls, action figures, dolls, sports team caps, toy cars, self-contained arts and craft kits, books, board games, playing cards, puzzles, sports balls and equipment, make-up, manicure kits, scarves, hats and gloves. Please no bikes, skates, skateboards, wagons or similar wheeled toys.

The Richardson Symphony Orchestra will perform “Holiday Classics” at 8 p.m. Saturday. The show will feature the orchestra and The Men’s Chorus from Hamilton Park Baptist Church. Tickets cost $10 to $87. For more information, visit richardsonsymphony.org.

Keyboard Conversations Returns Next Week
Concert pianist Jeffrey Siegel will perform “The Glory of Beethoven” as part of the Keyboard Conversations® series at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Eisemann Center. The concert will include lively commentary before each composition is played.

Single tickets range from $27 to $32 and are available at eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650.

Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week

Heathcliff is a scruffy guy with a big heart. He's been out on the streets for a while and is now looking for a place to call home. Heathcliff is a male, about 3 years old, up to date on all his vaccinations, loves attention and his ears scratched.